John Schaus

Senior Fellow, International Security Program
John Schaus

John Schaus is a senior fellow in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he focuses on defense industry and Asia security challenges. His research areas include Asia-Pacific security issues and U.S. defense policy and industry, and he presents CSIS’s flagship presentation on future trends, “Seven Revolutions: Scanning the Horizon Out to the Year 2035 and Beyond.” Prior to rejoining CSIS in July 2014, he worked in the Office of Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (APSA) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His responsibilities there included day-to-day management of the U.S.-China military relationship; as special assistant to the assistant secretary of APSA, he coordinated work product and policy priorities for an office of 100, crossing two geographic combatant commands and including five U.S. allies. His most recent previous position was as regional policy adviser to the assistant secretary for APSA, where he oversaw Defense Department participation and represented the department in Asian multilateral defense organizations, as well as ensuring actions, budget, messaging, and planning aligned with broader U.S. efforts, in particular with the rebalance to the Asia Pacific. Prior to working in the Pentagon, Mr. Schaus served as executive officer to the president and CEO of CSIS for five years. He received a B.A. from St. John’s University in Minnesota, and an M.P.P. from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

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Executive Education

Understanding Washington

Understanding Washington offers embassy, business, and nonprofit professionals the tools and knowledge necessary to better navigate the Washington policy ecosystem.

Course Date: March 20, 2023
Registration Closes: March 3, 2023
Photo: Adobe Stock

Decisionmaking at the Speed of the Digital Era

Despite recognizing the need for more effective competition with China, the Defense Department has been slow to adopt low-cost, rapid methods to analyze problems and identify solutions at the speed of change. This brief highlights one way to do just that.

Brief by John Schaus and Laura Bocek — August 16, 2022

Photo: Royal Malaysian Navy/U.S. Navy

Biden’s Taiwan Position Is Not an Accident

President Biden deviated from Washington orthodoxy on Taiwan for the third time in six months. It is time to realize he is serious in signaling his intent to support the rules-based international order to deter China from upending the order like Russia has.

Critical Questions by John Schaus — May 27, 2022

Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Saint Javelin of Limited Supply

Ukraine is proving the value of precision-guided weapons. It is also demonstrating the mismatch between how slowly militaries acquire those weapons and how quickly they are used. The United States should work with its allies now to address the gap.

Commentary by John Schaus — March 28, 2022

Photo: PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images

Early Lessons for the United States from Russia’s Second Ukraine Invasion

The conflict in Ukraine has upended assumptions about the international order. Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion also offers lessons for other parts of the world to better prepare for future authoritarian disruptions, especially for the United States in Asia.

Commentary by John Schaus — March 4, 2022

Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Five Opportunities for the U.S.-Australia Alliance to Lead

The U.S.-Australia alliance has demonstrated strength and utility. Now in its 70th year, leaders should leverage the alliance to prepare for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s threats.

Report by John Schaus and Michael Shoebridge — September 15, 2021

Photo: Public Domain

Moving Beyond “China, China, China” in the Indo-Pacific

The Biden administration is signaling the United States will return to a more traditional foreign policy in Asia. But it must engage allies and partners on more than just defense policy.

Critical Questions by John Schaus — February 12, 2021

Photo: MS Dan Bard/Royal Canadian Navy

Oil Markets, Oil Attacks, and the Strategic Straits

The CSIS International Security and Energy Programs examine recent oil facility and tanker attacks in the Middle East and consider how the U.S. strategy to protect energy flows from the region is evolving.

Commentary by John Schaus and Andrew J. Stanley — July 19, 2019

Photo: NORBERT SCHILLER/AFP/Getty Images